EOU falls in CCC semifinals

Observer staff

Eastern Oregon saw its run at a second straight Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament title end with a straight-set loss to College of Idaho in the CCC semifinals, 25-20, 25-21, 25-15, Friday night in Salem.

The No. 13 Mountaineers struggled to find their rhythm on offense most of the night, putting down just 29 kills and posting just a .126 attack percentage. Amanda Miller led the way with eight kills. Isabelle Statkus added six kills with three blocks, and Madisen Garlie had five kills and five blocks.

Sarah Carpenter led EOU with 17 assists and Kiley McMurtrey had 10 digs

The Coyotes, who went on to push CCC regular-season champion Corban to five sets before falling in the title match Saturday, were led by Alexander Taylor, who had 14 kills, while both Brenna Meehan and Ashley Pagan had 11.

It was the fourth straight year C of I and EOU met in the CCC tournament, with the Yotes getting the upperhand for the third time.

Eastern briefly pulled ahead in the first set, 9-8, on back-to-back Coyote attack errors before C of I went on a 7-2 run to take the lead for good. EOU got as close as two on several occasions, including 20-18 on an Emily Nay kill, but got no closer.

Three runs in the second set of 5-1, 4-2 and 4-1, helped C of I stay ahead of the Mountaineers. Aspen Christiansen’s ace kept EOU close at 22-20, but the Yotes finished the set.

Megan Bunn gave EOU a 12-11 lead in the third with a kill, but C of I finished on a 14-3 run for the victory.